WE cannot yet say if Newcastle’s trams will be a white elephant, but we certainly know we have been sold a pup. The trams run without overhead wires, but do not have a battery to power them. Instead, this is substituted by a hyper capacitor. It means the trams will have to halt at every stop to charge up again, whether or not anyone wants to get on or off. The hallmark of efficient public transport is the ability to deliver passengers quickly to their destination. This won’t be happening for us, with the maximum speed 40km/h and a minimum 37-second hiatus at every stop. We really have invested in a “slow boat” from Wickham to Newcastle Beach. I THINK the law regarding euthanasia should be changed, even though lots of people will not agree with me. I have watched a friend of mine sit for three years on her verandah waiting to die, sick as a dog. Then there is my sister, 98, rail and sick, sitting in a chair 24 hours a day. If she was a dog she would be put down. It’s inhumane. STEVE Barnett (Letters, 26/11), I too read Ruby Walker’s opinion piece and was most impressed. By my calculation, Ruby would be 17 or 18 years old and wrote with a maturity that would surpass that of many contributors to this page. Good on you, Ruby. It’s not a question of what electronic gadgets we can attribute to the mining industry; it’s about climate change and the environment, which I would like to preserve for my grandchildren. Mr Barnett, Queensland is currently experiencing unprecedented weather conditions and devastating bushfires. That has nothing to do with mobile phones or computers. POOR John Fear (Letters, 28/11) quite obviously has a problem with noise. May I suggest he visit the Simpson Desert, Antarctica or a Liberal Party election victory celebration for a bit more silence? TODAY I was down at Mayfield, it was raining heavy. As I was going to cross Maitland Road at the crossing a young man who just crossed over asked if I was OK to go across the other side as I’m very slow on my feet with health problems. “Yes”, I said, and he sheltered me with his umbrella. I thanked him and I thank him again. It’s not the first time someone has asked me if I’m OK. A lot of these people are young, but older people also ask. Good on Newcastle for the kind people who live here. Thank you. WHENEVER people call others naysayers and accuse them of stopping “progress", expect little more than spin and slogans. Adam Walton's letter (Letters 23/11) is a typical example. He cites undefined teething issues and slight inconvenience that the authorities can learn from, but how about adding that they can’t reverse them? No facts, figures or cogent arguments justify his assertion that "light rail is one of the largest rejuvenation in decades". I could if I choose, Mr Walton, cite many examples of why we're getting third-rate outcomes when Newcastle deserves much better.

Short Takes December 3 2018: readers have their say on the day’s news

WE cannot yet say if Newcastle’s trams will be a white elephant, but we certainly know we have been sold a pup. The trams run without overhead wires, but do not have a battery to power them. Instead, this is substituted by a hyper capacitor. It means the trams will have to halt at every stop to charge up again, whether or not anyone wants to get on or off. The hallmark of efficient public transport is the ability to deliver passengers quickly to their destination. This won’t be happening for us, with the maximum speed 40km/h and a minimum 37-second hiatus at every stop. We really have invested in a “slow boat” from Wickham to Newcastle Beach.

Ray Dinneen, Newcastle

I THINK the law regarding euthanasia should be changed, even though lots of people will not agree with me. I have watched a friend of mine sit for three years on her verandah waiting to die, sick as a dog. Then there is my sister, 98, rail and sick, sitting in a chair 24 hours a day. If she was a dog she would be put down. It’s inhumane.

Betty McInnes, Stockton

STEVE Barnett (Letters, 26/11), I too read Ruby Walker’s opinion piece and was most impressed. By my calculation, Ruby would be 17 or 18 years old and wrote with a maturity that would surpass that of many contributors to this page. Good on you, Ruby. It’s not a question of what electronic gadgets we can attribute to the mining industry; it’s about climate change and the environment, which I would like to preserve for my grandchildren. Mr Barnett, Queensland is currently experiencing unprecedented weather conditions and devastating bushfires. That has nothing to do with mobile phones or computers.

Beverly Page, Adamstown Heights

POOR John Fear (Letters, 28/11) quite obviously has a problem with noise. May I suggest he visit the Simpson Desert, Antarctica or a Liberal Party election victory celebration for a bit more silence?

Adrian Trenery, Toronto

TODAY I was down at Mayfield, it was raining heavy. As I was going to cross Maitland Road at the crossing a young man who just crossed over asked if I was OK to go across the other side as I’m very slow on my feet with health problems. “Yes”, I said, and he sheltered me with his umbrella. I thanked him and I thank him again. It’s not the first time someone has asked me if I’m OK. A lot of these people are young, but older people also ask. Good on Newcastle for the kind people who live here. Thank you.

Alan Ackroyd, Hamilton

WHENEVER people call others naysayers and accuse them of stopping “progress", expect little more than spin and slogans. Adam Walton's letter (Letters 23/11) is a typical example. He cites undefined teething issues and slight inconvenience that the authorities can learn from, but how about adding that they can’t reverse them? No facts, figures or cogent arguments justify his assertion that "light rail is one of the largest rejuvenation in decades". I could if I choose, Mr Walton, cite many examples of why we're getting third-rate outcomes when Newcastle deserves much better.